Rule 1301 - Compulsory ArbitrationBY THE PROTHONOTARY
1.(a) All cases wherein the amount in controversy (exclusive of interests and costs) shall be Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars or less, including all appeals from a civil judgment of a District Justice, except those involving title to real estate or actions in equity, shall be submitted to and be heard and decided by a Board of Arbitrators consisting of three (3) members of the Bar of Jefferson County to be selected as hereinafter provided.(b) Either party in such civil suit or action, his agent or attorney, may place a case on the list of cases for trial by arbitration by filing a Certificate of Readiness in the form provided by local rule L308(b), which form is available at the prothonotary's office.(c) Any such case which has been placed upon the Prothonotary's Trial List shall be removed from such list by the prothonotary and placed on the Arbitration List. BY THE PARTIES
2. Cases, whether or not at issue and whether or not suit has been filed, may be placed on the Arbitration List by agreement of reference signed by counsel for both sides in the case. Said agreement of reference shall define the issues involved for determination by the board and, when agreeable, shall also contain stipulations with respect to facts submitted or agreed or defenses waived. In such cases, the agreement of reference shall take the place of pleadings in the case and be filed of record.BY THE COURT
3. The Court on its own motion, or on motion of either party may, by deposition, pre-trial conference, hearing or otherwise, determine that the amount actually in controversy does not exceed Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars exclusive of interest and costs and enter an order of reference to a Board of Arbitration in conformity with Pa.R.C.P. 1021(d).Adopted Jan. 1, 1985, effective 4/1/1985. Amended effective 5/15/1997;3/29/2010, effective (30) days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.